Carleton University has developed a Sustainability Strategic Plan (SSP) that outlines goals and initiatives that take an innovative approach to energy and sustainability planning on campus. This comprehensive model takes into account everything from infrastructure (retrofits and new builds), engagement of students, faculty and staff to outreach, creating research opportunities and collecting feedback.

The strategic plan is only in its third year of implementation but we have already seen measured progress, success in our initiatives and tangible returns on our investments, where applicable.

Once Carleton's complete build out, as detailed in Campus Master Plan, is implemented, the total campus building floor area will grow by 84 per cent compared to the 2012 base year, and the new annual electricity, gas and water consumption is expected to increase by 57, 55 and 66 per cent respectively. As our campus continues to grow it is important now, more than ever, that we take a broad-based and inclusive approach so our campus is greener and more sustainable. This is recognized as a priority in Carleton's Strategic Integrated Plan (SIP) which specifically highlights the importance of sustainability.

In addition to our buildings, our Manager of Sustainable Programs develops and oversees an action plan focused on the following areas: Waste and Recycling, Transportation, and Energy and Water and Community Engagement. Initiatives include: an annual $1-million Green Revolving Fund which calls for ideas from students, faculty and staff about innovative projects that would make our campus more sustainable and payback the investment. The Eco Reps program is a network of staff volunteers who help spread the word about positive changes in their workplaces and assist the university to fully embed sustainability practices across the campus. In our residence buildings we are using technology to monitor energy and water consumption and we display this on an electronic dashboard that students can track. Research projects with sustainability themes have also helped to influence the university's planning.

Our strategy is working. In the recently released UI GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities 2015, Carleton's ranking has improved from 97th in the world, to 46 out of 407 universities globally.

Criteria

Please submit one paragraph describing how the proposal fulfills each of the evaluation criteria.

Transferability

Carleton University's approach to embedding sustainability in how we work and plan across the institution could easily be transferred to other workplaces due to the fact that it's inclusive and collaborative. Carleton is often called upon to share our lessons learned at conferences and through case studies, as well with the university community.

Specific aspects of this project that are transferable to other institutions include:

• Partnership Approach: Carleton is open to sharing their approach to guaranteed savings with zero risk. Case studies of Carleton's partnership approach with Honeywell, Enbridge Gas, Hydro Ottawa and the City of Ottawa are available for other universities to reference.

• Energy Savings Methodology: At Carleton, average energy and water consumption benchmarks for each building type have been used as the starting point for predicting the future energy and water requirements for the new buildings. This sets the baseline so that we can take a realistic approach to energy conservation at Carleton. Other universities can use this methodology to determine benchmarks at their institutions.

• Assessment Tools: By adopting the APPA Energy and Sustainability Assessment Tool (ESAT) Carleton has been able to take a granular, more realistic approach to energy savings by tailoring the tool to the diverse types of buildings at the university. This internal assessment tool can be easily adapted to fit the needs of other institutions. This tool has the potential to provide effective benchmarking for Canadian universities. Carleton also uses Green Globes to demonstrate ongoing commitment and benchmark progress.

• Strategic Approach: By aligning campus master planning to energy and sustainability requirements, Carleton was able to look at existing conditions within each building with respect to heating, hot water, cooling, ventilation, water fixtures, and lighting. Carleton used this information to outline specific recommendations to retrofit and renew the facilities, an approach other universities can use. The detailed plan is shared online at: Carleton.ca/sustainability.

Quality Impact

As part of the planning process for our retrofit program with Honeywell, we actively engaged the impacted departments and developed a customized project rollout for each building. These strategies took into account feedback provided to us prior to the project and afforded us the ability to have a better awareness of priorities as seen through the customer's eyes. Feedback received from focus groups conducted following each retrofit project revealed that there was appreciation for our inclusive and collaborative approach. We have also heard that the retrofits have led to better working environments and, therefore, more productive workplaces. In each of the three retrofit projects completed to date, we have acted upon feedback and made improvements. Quality is part of the Honeywell agreement and ongoing measurement through the verification process is guaranteed for a minimum of five years to ensure the plan is performing as intended.

With reference to energy performance, Carleton has made significant progress this last year:

• APPA: Developed and utilized the Energy and Sustainability Assessment Tool (ESAT) to benchmark sustainable practices and conduct the energy and environmental performance of campus buildings.

• Green Globes: Used this third-party tool to demonstrate ongoing commitment and benchmarked progress. Carleton is currently exceeding its commitment for all new and major renovations to be 3 Green Globes, with average rating of 4 Globes. The Green Globe assessment is also utilized at design stage to incorporate sustainability features early into design.

• Partnership Approach: Guaranteed savings and reduced energy consumption by entering into partnerships with energy providers and professionals and engaging those directly impacted by the construction during upgrade process.

Performance

• Building Retrofits: Utility savings from current energy performance projects provide an annual saving of $415,000, 201 kW in annual electricity use and over 19,000m3 in gas use.

• Financial Incentives: To date, Carleton has received $265,000 through incentive programs as related to the Energy Retrofit projects in the three buildings completed to date. Overall program amounts to $700,000 towards improved energy performance across the campus.

The Robertson Hall utility savings equate to an annual 28o/o decrease in steam, 27% less electricity and water reductions of 31 %. These reductions are tracked by Honeywell and verified by Carleton to be on track with the original forecasted savings.

Athletics Centre Retrofit (completed 2015):

• Total annual cost savings: $137,000

• Utility incentives: $(87,000)

The Athletics utility savings equate to an annual 43% decrease in steam, 7% less electricity, and water reductions of 13%. These reductions are tracked by Honeywell and verified by Carleton to be on track with the original forecasted savings.

Loeb Building Retrofit (completed 2015):

• Total annual cost savings: $151,987

• Utility incentives: $(80,000)

The above utility savings equate to an annual 23% decrease in steam, 18% less electricity, and water reductions of 37%. These reductions are tracked by Honeywell and verified by Carleton to be on track with the original forecasted savings.

Carleton is now in the process of reviewing other buildings on campus, to identify the next building for the retrofit program.

Innovation

Carleton's innovative partnership approach has proven to be a successful framework for achieving our energy conservation goals and obtaining financial incentives. Our partnership approach - which includes engaging our students, faculty and staff - means that Carleton has been able to guarantee savings with zero risk by engaging community partners and seeking out financial incentives. By entering into a long-term energy services business partnership with Honeywell, Carleton has been able to develop an overall long-term plan to identify opportunities and implement initiatives to save energy, improve the indoor environment, renew mechanical and electrical systems and create sustainable solutions for the campus. This program has been successful in establishing baseline usage, aligning improvements to future energy requirements, and implementing energy conservation measures. We have completed upgrades in three campus buildings and are making plans for the fourth. Carleton has actively sought out financial incentives that were available through Enbridge Gas, Hydro Ottawa and the City of Ottawa. Adopting the partnership approach to guarantee savings is an innovative and realistic way to reduce energy consumption. To date, Carleton has been awarded $700,000 in incentives towards improved energy performance.